Abstract: In at least some implementations, a hinge for a vehicle door includes a door hinge adapted to be mounted to a vehicle door and a body hinge adapted to be mounted to a vehicle body. Either the door hinge or the body hinge includes a hinge pin, a void is defined by the other one of the door hinge or the body hinge that does not include the hinge pin, and a retainer is movable relative to the void. The hinge pin is received in the void in an assembled state of the hinge, and the retainer overlaps a retaining surface in an advanced position of the retainer to inhibit removal of the hinge pin from the void. In this way, the vehicle door may be releasably retained on the vehicle body.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a hinge for a vehicle door includes a door hinge adapted to be mounted to a vehicle door and a body hinge adapted to be mounted to a vehicle body. Either the door hinge or the body hinge includes a hinge pin, a void is defined by the other one of the door hinge or the body hinge that does not include the hinge pin, and a retainer is movable relative to the void. The hinge pin is received in the void in an assembled state of the hinge, and the retainer overlaps a retaining surface in an advanced position of the retainer to inhibit removal of the hinge pin from the void. In this way, the vehicle door may be releasably retained on the vehicle body.

Abstract: A step assembly for a tailgate of a vehicle, which includes a retractable rail secured to a housing located within the tailgate. The retractable rail is configured to extend from the housing and the tailgate when in a deployed state, and be entirely received within the housing and the tailgate when in a non-deployed state. A sliding stop device is positioned within the housing and connected to an end of the retractable rail. The stop device includes a tubular member having an aperture formed therein, and a movable arm located in the tubular member that is biased to extend outward from the aperture such that as the retractable rail is moved to the deployed state, the aperture of the sliding stop device is aligned with the opening of the housing, and the movable arm is engaged with the opening.

Abstract: A utility bar configured to be secured to a pair of stake pockets formed in opposing sidewalls of a bed of a vehicle. Each of the stake pockets includes an opening formed in an upper wall of the sidewall, a first aperture that is not accessible from the bed, and a second aperture that is accessible from the bed. The utility bar includes a tubular member, a pair of end fittings attached to the tubular member, and a pair of lock assemblies positioned in the stake pockets that mate with the end fittings, wherein the lock assemblies each include a locking mechanism configured to secure the lock assembly and the end fitting to the first aperture that is not accessible from the bed.

Abstract: An accessory configured to be secured within a stake pocket formed in a sidewall of a bed of a vehicle. The stake pocket includes an opening formed in an upper wall of the sidewall configured for receipt of the accessory, a first aperture that is not accessible from the bed, and a second aperture that is accessible from the bed. The accessory includes a locking mechanism that is configured to secure the accessory to either the first aperture or the second aperture.

Abstract: An accessory configured to be secured within a stake pocket formed in a sidewall of a bed of a vehicle. The stake pocket includes an opening formed in an upper wall of the sidewall configured for receipt of the accessory, a first aperture that is not accessible from the bed, and a second aperture that is accessible from the bed. The accessory includes a locking mechanism that is configured to secure the accessory to either the first aperture or the second aperture.

Abstract: A utility bar configured to be secured to a pair of stake pockets formed in opposing sidewalls of a bed of a vehicle. Each of the stake pockets includes an opening formed in an upper wall of the sidewall, a first aperture that is not accessible from the bed, and a second aperture that is accessible from the bed. The utility bar includes a tubular member, a pair of end fittings attached to the tubular member, and a pair of lock assemblies positioned in the stake pockets that mate with the end fittings, wherein the lock assemblies each include a locking mechanism configured to secure the lock assembly and the end fitting to the first aperture that is not accessible from the bed.

Abstract: A power tailgate assembly for a vehicle includes a tailgate configured to rotatably couple to the vehicle, the tailgate having an inner panel, an outer panel, a bottom panel, and first and second side panels defining an inner cavity. An opening is defined in at least one of the first side panel and the bottom panel, and a motor mount cartridge assembly is disposed in the inner cavity at least partially within the opening to at least partially conceal the motor mount cartridge assembly within the tailgate. When installed, the motor mount cartridge assembly covers the opening without need for a discrete cover for the opening.

Abstract: A step assembly for a tailgate of a vehicle, which includes a retractable rail secured to a housing located within the tailgate. The retractable rail is configured to extend from the housing and the tailgate when in a deployed state, and be entirely received within the housing and the tailgate when in a non-deployed state. A sliding stop device is positioned within the housing and connected to an end of the retractable rail. The stop device includes a tubular member having an aperture formed therein, and a movable arm located in the tubular member that is biased to extend outward from the aperture such that as the retractable rail is moved to the deployed state, the aperture of the sliding stop device is aligned with the opening of the housing, and the movable arm is engaged with the opening.

Abstract: A power tailgate assembly for a vehicle includes a tailgate configured to rotatably couple to the vehicle, the tailgate having an inner panel, an outer panel, a bottom panel, and first and second side panels defining an inner cavity. An opening is defined in at least one of the first side panel and the bottom panel, and a motor mount cartridge assembly is disposed in the inner cavity at least partially within the opening to at least partially conceal the motor mount cartridge assembly within the tailgate. When installed, the motor mount cartridge assembly covers the opening without need for a discrete cover for the opening.

Abstract: A step system, for a pickup truck having a tailgate movable between a closed position and an open position, includes a mounting bracket configured to couple to the pickup truck, and a link system pivotably coupled to the mounting bracket and configured to operably and mechanically couple to the tailgate such that movement of the tailgate from the closed position to the open position automatically pivots the link system from a stowed position beneath the pickup truck to a deployed position rear of the pickup truck. A step portion is coupled to the link system and configured to provide a step for an individual between the ground and the tailgate when the link system is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A step system, for a pickup truck having a tailgate movable between a closed position and an open position, includes a mounting bracket configured to couple to the pickup truck, and a link system pivotably coupled to the mounting bracket and configured to operably and mechanically couple to the tailgate such that movement of the tailgate from the closed position to the open position automatically pivots the link system from a stowed position beneath the pickup truck to a deployed position rear of the pickup truck. A step portion is coupled to the link system and configured to provide a step for an individual between the ground and the tailgate when the link system is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A disjoinable hinge mechanism having a locking cam is provided. The hinge mechanism includes a hinge assembly having a hinge pin which pivotably couples a first hinge structure to a second hinge structure. The hinge mechanism also includes a cam pivotably coupled to the hinge pin and a third hinge structure which includes a cam follower. The cam is positionable between a released position and an engaged position. The cam does not engage the cam follower when positioned in the released position. The cam engages the cam follower when positioned in the engaged position. The cam is adapted to be moved into the engaged position when an associated closure member is moved into a closed position. Thereafter, the cam remains in the engaged position during normal operation of the closure member. The second hinge structure may also include a set of locator pins which engage mounting apertures in the third hinge structure.

Abstract: An arrangement for precisely mounting a door on a vehicle body by a door on-door off hinge assembly. A door hinge flange has upper and lower transversely elongated slots and an intermediate rectangular tab opening symmetrically disposed on a common vertical axis. A tapping plate has a base formed with upper and lower bores and a central hook-like resilient tab member lanced-out from its base. The base mating face has a thermosetting film adhesive affixed thereto while an upper tapered locator pin extends therefrom adapted to pass through a door hinge flange clearance aperture and seat in a net hole in the door hinge web to establish a precise re-mounting location of the door hinge. Upon the tapping plate being hung on the flange inner surface, by virtue of the tab member being hooked through the flange tab opening, the locating pin extends through a clearance aperture in the door flange and a net hole in the base.

Abstract: Hinge apparatus for a door of a motor vehicle providing precise door-on-door-off capability enabling the door to be hinged to a vehicle body post in adjusted position, unhinged, and then re-hinged in the same adjusted position. A pair of hinges connect a door panel to a body post panel. Each hinge comprises a first hinge plate connected to the body post panel and a second hinge plate connected to the door panel. A tapping plate is secured to the door panel and has a pair of spaced threaded holes therein. Clearance openings are provided in the second hinge plate and in the door panel in alignment with the threaded holes in the tapping plate to clear mounting screws which are threaded into the tapping plate. The clearance holes are large enough to allow adjustment of the door. A locator comprises a tab secured to the second hinge plate, provided with a locator pin adapted to extend into a locator hole in the tapping plate.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a tailgate handle assembly including a single actuator lever which is pivotable by a lift handle to pull a pair of rods laterally inwardly to release oppositely disposed tailgate latches. The initial installation steps are simplified with respect to connecting the pair of rods to the handle assembly.

Abstract: A handle assembly is adapted for installation in a vehicle panel aperture having a flanged border from the outboard side of the panel. The handle housing has a pre-installed attaching clip retained on the housing by a screw tightened to an initial setting enabling predetermined upward and inward travel of the clip between a lower gravity induced position to an installation rocked-in induced upper position. The clip has tapered flanges configured to bear on the aperture border during rocked-in movement of the housing along a determined swingline. Upon clip tabs being positioned inboard of the border the tapered flanges disengaging the border thereby returning the clip by gravity to its installed position such that tightening the screw clamps the tabs against the aperture border.

Abstract: Upper and lower three-piece hinge assemblies enabling a door to be attached and removed in a precise lateral take-apart manner during a vehicle body assembly line operation. Each of the hinge assemblies each provide a body-half mounting hinge and a door-half sub-assembly. The sub-assembly comprises a link plate and a door-half mounting bracket permanently pined together by a door hinge pin. Prior to removably attaching the door-half sub-assembly to the body-half hinge an installer inserts an abutment peg in a through bore of a bracket horizontal wing. The installer then rotates the link plate about its hinge pin until it engages the peg forming, with the bracket, a wedge-shaped receptacle adapted to slidably receive therein a complementary wedge-shaped foot plate of the body-half hinge. The receptacle seats on the foot plate in a predetermined abutting manner enabling each link plate aperture to be self-aligned with an associated foot plate threaded hole.

Abstract: A tailgate handle assembly in a housing including a flush-mounted handle and an adjacent key cylinder. The housing is spaced apart from a tailgate latch mechanism. A laterally extending lever is slidably actuated on the housing from a locked mode to an unlocked mode manually by rotation of the key cylinder, or electrically via a power actuator, and then pivoted by manual lift-pulling on the handle, to thereby lift a latch rod extending between the lever and the latch mechanism to actuate the latter. An electrical limit switch is mounted on the handle assembly, adapted to being actuated by one slidable movement of the lever to unlock the latch of an upwardly pivotable tailgate window.

Abstract: A tailgate handle assembly in a housing including a flush-mounted handle and an adjacent key cylinder. The housing is spaced apart from a latch mechanism. A laterally extending lever is slidably actuated on the housing from a locked mode to an unlocked mode manually by rotation of the key cylinder, or electrically via a power actuator, and then pivoted by manual lift-pulling on the handle, to thereby lift a latch rod extending between the lever and the latch mechanism to actuate the latter.